Though Rochdale have yet to make an official approach for the player, Observer Sport understands Coleman has spoken with his counterpart at the Crown Ground.

Like Dale, Donnelly experienced the pain of relegation at the Moss Rose last season and leapt at the opportunity of another shot in the Football League.

Coleman sprang something of a surprise on Friday when he announced just three players were being released – Joe Widdowson, Dean Holden and David Lucas.

The former Accrington boss is believed to be interested in Crown Ground defenders Kevin McIntyre and Dean Winnard, and is also considering a move for midfielder Ian Craney, another one of his former charges.

Dale’s return to League Two had been confirmed two weeks’ previously and Coleman’s plans for next season are already taking shape.

The Dale boss has placed winger Nicky Adams on the transfer list after the pair agreed the former Bury man’s future lies away from Spotland.

The long-serving skipper and club record appearance holder said Dale had failed to recruit the ‘new blood’ needed to build on the foundations left by former boss Keith Hill.

Dale prolonged their stay in League One with a dramatic late fightback against Exeter on Saturday, coming back from two goals down to register a 3-2 win.

Having lost 5-2 at home to Sheffield United on Tuesday, Dale go into this afternoon’s clash bottom of the League One table, 11 points adrift of safety with just four games to play.

Former City striker Ched Evans scored a brace while further strikes from Kevin McDonald, Lee Williamson and Michael Doyle left Dale teetering on the brink of relegation.

On the back of their dramatic, heart-breaking draw against Walsall the weekend previous, Dale produced a spirited show at Huish Park but were undone by sloppy defending.

Dale looked down and out when they trailed 2-0 with 24 minutes remaining. Defeat would have left them 11 points from safety with six games left.

Dale lie eight points from safety, which is not an impossible gap to close, however history suggests it will take a monumental effort from John Coleman’s team to avoid the drop.

Dale came from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 thanks to Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro’s stoppage time volley. But within seconds of reviving their League One survival hopes, Dale were floored by an Andy Butler header.

Dale followed up a poor result at home to Tranmere last Tuesday with arguably their worst display under Coleman so far.

McConville has previously played under Coleman at Accrington and signed for County last year. The 23-year-old has scored four goals from 22 games this season but has recently fallen out of favour under Jim Gannon.

Dale’s groundsman Phil Collinson is now in the running for the Groundsman of the Year award, with the Spotland playing surface nominated as one of the third tier’s top three.

John Coleman’s men could do with picking something up from the tricky-looking trip to Brentford today.

Last night they were second best throughout to a Tranmere side improving under Ronnie Moore’s guidance.

Though Dale are in the midst of a fight to preserve their place in the division, the Dale boss is urging his players to take care of their own business and pay no attention to what is going on around them.

Dale entertain Oldham at Spotland this afternoon and take on fellow League One strugglers Tranmere at home on Tuesday. And manager Coleman is demanding a winning double from his side to keep alive hopes of a great escape.

Dale twice came from behind to rescue a worthy point at Huddersfield on Saturday, but the result left Coleman’s side rooted to the bottom of the table six points adrift of safety.

The Dale boss apologised to supporters who travelled north for the midweek defeat at Carlisle, describing the 2-1 loss as a ‘disaster.’

John Coleman’s men survived when Lee Miller’s second-half header was flagged offside only for Jon-Paul McGovern to fire Carlisle ahead soon after.

Dale’s new manager made it seven points from his first four games in charge with a 1-1 draw against Charlton at the Valley, where Nicky Adams fired the visitors ahead early in the second half.

The Owls sacked manager Gary Megson on Wednesday, just days after winning the Steel City derby against arch rivals Sheffield United.

Dale’s backline has improved markedly since John Coleman’s arrival, and the target now is to match that improvement at the other end of the field.

So says John Coleman, who suffered his first defeat as Dale boss on Tuesday when his side lost 1-0 at fellow strugglers Scunthorpe.

Dale’s home game against Notts County at the weekend fell victim to the cold snap, the fixture postponed on Friday such was the effects of the deep freeze on the Spotland surface.